Does it really help to have a bachelor's degree?

Nursing Students General Students

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I'm not sure if this a trend or if this is legit but I know many people that have had a better chance at getting a job or getting into any kind of nursing program because they've had a bachelor's. I had a classmate who was able to get a CNA job right away at a hospital because she had a bachelor's in psych; whereas there were so many CNAS i know (including myself) who have worked as one for years at the nursing home and hospitals were very selective and never hired us. I do have my associate's degree but that doesn't seem to help and realistically so. This same classmates was also able to transfer in our LPN class to the RN because of her bachelors. I also have another friend who graduated from the RN program about a year ago with no experience at all, no volunteering or CNA experience and she was hired and she believes her bachelor's had something to do with it.

I know they do say that by 2020, hospitals require a bachelor's in nursing but if it's hard to even get into these competitive nursing programs or get a job (when they require experience - but how? especially when you've just graduated). I've researched my bridge programs in the area (LPN-RN) and they're all shutting down or using their own students. The school I just graduated from is having management issues so it'll be delayed for a long time... someone suggested to try and get a bachelor's degree now, which will help me in the long run (and get me a job hopefully). I do have a my transfer degree with my AA and not sure how that will work... and eventually, I can get a job, apply to an RN or BSN program, etc...

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That's a great question! I'd also like to know the answer to that! I have friends who graduated from community colleges with associate degrees and got hired right away! One of them even got hired at St. Jude!

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Generally speaking hospitals prefer you to have degrees. They want to make sure that they hire articulate educated individuals and not someone who can practice but can't put a complete sentence together to save their life. Ultimately, the more you have on your side the easier it is to get hired and that includes certain certifications. The more competitive you make yourself the more in demand you will be.

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The counselor at my ADN program said the same thing. He said that jobs are competitive because schools are spitting out many students each semester. BSN students are favored because the extra coursework adds critical thinking skills that aren't developed within a 2 year program. Because of this, he said ADN student who have a Bachelor's in something else have a better chance of getting hired than ADN students without. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The diploma /ADN/BSN argument/debate was in full swing from the beginning of time when I went to school. In my day it was the eradication of the diploma school....which still hasn't happened..... they are less they still exist. Then the ADN/BSN debate began about the eradication of the ADN in favor of the BSN which 34 years later still is not resolved. However, in the current economy where 50% of college students who graduate can't find jobs and people are flocking to nursing as the recession proof job........the hospitals can afford to be choosy about their candidates.

There is the movement for BSN graduates that is gaining momentum. Magnet hospitals are hiring BSN new grads almost exclusively depending on your demographic area and the quality of your school. I do not believe that just because a nurse graduates from a BSN is the "superior nurse" nor do I believe that the ADN is exclusively the degree that produces individuals that are not "articulate educated individuals and not someone who can practice but can't put a complete sentence together to save their life". For after being a nurse for 34 years I have met some pretty astounding over educated idiots.

ADNs pass and fail the same competency exam as the BSN nurse.....proving their ability to function as a nurse.......just like the BSN. Something that has always bothered the BSN advocates. The BSN As long as nursing continued to have a multilevel entry into the profession we are going to have these debates about who is the better nurse just like who has the better toy.

In the current job climate, however, the BSN graduate seem to have the advantage over the ADN graduate in some areas of the country. when choosing your ADN program be sure that is includes subjects like pathophysiology, pharmacology and microbiology for some of the newer, faster programs have decided to delete these which is hurting this graduate.

Also, be sure that the program you have has concurrent clinical hours for more and more states are making this their standard requirement for licensing in that state. Also, be sure your school is accredited by the two most recognized agencies...

The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The NLNAC accredits masters, baccalaureate, associates and diploma nursing programs while the CCNE accredits masters and baccalaureate level nursing programs only.

I hope this makes it as clear as mud......jsut kidding. I wish you the best.:loveya:

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